Gig: The Last Party at FAC251, Saturday 16 February
THIS week, Hollywood actor Idris Elba announced he will direct the next music video for Manchester band The Last party. Elba and his Luther co-star Warren Brown recently saw the band at club night This Feeling in London and were impressed to say the least.
Keen to see what all the fuss is about? The Last Party are playing the Manchester leg of This Feeling at FAC251 this Saturday, 16 February. Click here for tickets (£5.50).
Listen out for their latest single ‘Devil’s Lips’. The music video for the single features cameos from a whole host of local talent including: Ciaran Griffiths (Shameless), Kirsty-Leigh Porter (Emmerdale), Luke Tittensor (Shameless) Jamie Shelton (Emmerdale), Andy Ellis (This Is England) and is a satire of botox culture. Watch it below.
Kids: Frontline Art, Imperial War Museum North: 15-24 February
IWM North is inviting budding artists of all ages to let their imagination run wild with their special half-term animation workshops on 21 and 22 February. Kids will be able to learn animation skills and create amazing short films.
Inspired by the museum’s collection of wartime art visitors – little and big – will also come face to face with a walkabout artist character, decorate, design, draw, or enjoy free storytelling sessions performances and workshops. More information and booking information is available here.
IWM North Animation Workshop
Tour: Haunted Underworld, St Ann’s Sqaure: 16 February
In a dark and mysterious undercroft of the city centre old stories are coming alive. Tales might include those of dead artists, sinister magicians, tragic lovers and body snatcher. Expect the unexpected and also lots of laughs. People who are brave enough to come on the tour should try not to faint (something that happened last time). The tour costs £8 per person and last just over an hour. Minimum age is 10 years old but if the child is very sensitive, best not to bring the under 12s. Tickets can be booked here.
Haunted Underworld
Theatre: Hetain Patel – Be Like Water, Contact Theatre: 15 February
After an acclaimed London debut, award-winning artist Hetain Patel brings his new piece of theatre to Contact as part of a UK tour. A visually arresting and witty consideration of culture and identity, with video projection, live music and plenty of Northern factory talk courtesy of Hetain’s dad. Tickets are priced at £10/£6concession and are available from here.
Hetain Patel
Kids: Meet Peppa Pig, Lowry Outlet Mall: 16 February
Trot down to the Lowry Outlet Mall this weekend to see every pre-schooler’s favourite piglet – Peppa Pig. With a whole day dedicated to the biggest piglet star since, well Piglet, kids will have the chance to meet and greet Peppa between 11am-4pm.
Peppa Pig will be appearing for 35 minutes at a time at 11am, 12pm, 1.30pm, 2.30 pm and for 25 minutes at 3.30pm. Parents are advised to get there early to avoid disappointment and tantrums. Further information and directions can be found here.
Peppa Pig
Music: Ultimate Power, Ruby Lounge: 16 February
Ultimate Power is a club night dedicated to the glorious beauty that is the power ballad. Since launching in 2010 the night become a guilty-pleasure transcending staple in London, Brighton and now Manchester.
Think Journey, Whitesnake, Meatloaf, Bonnie Tyler and a couple of hundred people air grabbing whilst shouting themselves hoarse from happiness and you’ve about got the picture. The night is a guaranteed sell out so if you don’t want to experience a total eclipse of the heart get down early. Altogether now – ‘More than a feeeeeling…’ Tickets are priced at £6 and available here.
Just a small town girl...
Exhibition: Bike & Triathlon Show, Manchester Central: 16-17 February
The questionably named ‘Bike and Tri Show’ will take over the aircraft hangar like expanse of Manchester Central this weekend with push iron enthusiasts of all kinds are catered for.
Mountain bikers, road bikers, BMXers and triathlon lovers alike will have two days to explore specialist retailers, meet sporting heroes and watch incredible riding shows and demonstrations. Entrance to the show costs £12 per day with under 16’s allowed in free. Tickets and detailed information is available here.
Bike and Tri Show
Gig: Calexico, The Ritz: 16 February
Calexico, the Tucson based collection of musicians, bring their desert noir indie rock to The Ritz this Saturday. Influenced by Ennio Morricone’s notable spaghetti Westerns along with Portugese fado music and 50s and 60s jazz with a wash of surf music factored in Calexico’s sound is one of rich diversity.
In 2008 they even had their song ‘Crystal Frontier’ beamed into space to wake up astronauts on Space Shuttle Discovery. Now touring in support of their new New Orleans inspired album ‘Algiers’ their Ritz show is likely to be one of wide-ranging sounds for eclectic music-lovers . Tickets are priced at £16.50 and available here.
Calexico
Gig: Heart Ships, The Castle: 17 February
Emerging new band Heart Ships from across the Yorkshire border had a fruitful 2012 supporting London folkies Dry The River. Almost a year on from their last appearance at The Castle the Leeds lads are back having further honed their Wild Beasts cum Modest Mouse like twisted pop eccentricities.
Support comes from mysterious locals B L O O M who follow G R E A T W A V E S in the Sways Records locker of spacebar loving bands trying to turn Manchester into M A N C H E S T E R. Doors are at 7.30pm with tickets are priced at just £3 and are available from here.
Heart Ships
